X CONFIRMATION PRAYERS Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created, And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let us pray. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. O Holy Spirit, divine Spirit of light and love, I consecrate to you my understanding, my heart, my will, my whole being for time and for eternity. May my understanding always be submissive to your heavenly inspiration and to the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church, of which you are the infallible Guide; may my heart ever be inflamed with love of God and of my neighbor; may my will always conform to the divine will, and may my whole life be a faithful imitation of the life and virtues of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom be honor and glory forever. Amen. Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that all my thoughts may be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that all my work too may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. SAINT AUGUSTINE Lord Jesus Christ, take all my freedom, my memory, my understanding, and my will. All that I have and cherish you have given me. I surrender it all to be guided by your will. Your love and your grace are wealth enough for me. Give me these, Lord Jesus, and I ask for nothing more. SAINT IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA AN ACT OF FAITH O My God, I firmly believe that You are one God in three Divine Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that Your Divine Son became man and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because You revealed them, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. AN ACT OF HOPE O my God, relying on Your infinite goodness and promises, I hope to obtain pardon for my sins, the help of Your grace and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. AN ACT OF LOVE O my God, I love you above all things, with my whole heart and soul because You are all good and worthy of all my love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of You. I forgive all who have injured me, and I ask pardon of all whom I have injured.
PAPERWORK: IMPORTANT AND VERY IMPORTANT
Important Dates Parent Meeting for Confirmation Students September 17, 2017 Confirmation Registration Form due October 1, 2017 Confirmation Sponsor/Patron Saint Form due December 3, 2017 Confirmation Sponsor Interview January 7, 2018 Sponsor Certificate due January 7, 2018 Patron Saint Report due January 28, 2018 Gown Order Form due March 4, 2018 Confirmation Retreat March 10, 2018 Homeschool Assessment at Parish Office April 9, 2018 Apostolic Project Summary due April 15, 2018 Letter to Father Taylor Due April 22, 2018 Confirmation Practice JCHS Auditorium April 29, 2018 Confirmation St. Theresa Catholic Church, Ashburn May 19, 2018
CONFIRMATION REGISTRATION FORM Please Print or Type All Information. Due October 1, 2017 CANDIDATE INFORMATION Name: Last First (not nickname) Middle Initial Address: Phone (H) (W) (C) Email Address Date of Birth Place of Birth Age as of Confirmation Date of Baptism Church of Baptism Church Address We are required to notify the church at which you were baptized of your reception of the sacrament of Confirmation so that it can be noted in its parish register. We can find the address for any Catholic church in the U.S. if we have the name of the church, the city, and the state. However, it would be helpful if you have the full address. If you were baptized at a military installation, please point that out so that we can notify the Archdiocese for Military Services. PARENT INFORMATION Father s Name Religion Last First Mother s Name Religion Maiden First SPONSOR INFORMATION Sponsor s Name Relationship Sponsor s Address Phone PROXY INFORMATION (If your Sponsor will not be present at the Confirmation Mass) Proxy s Name Relationship Proxy s Address Phone
Confirmation Gown Order Form Due March 4, 2018 The information below is required to ensure that your child will have a Confirmation Gown that will fit properly. Please print all information: Last Name M.I. First Name Home Phone # Height Weight
CONFIRMATION PREP ENTRANCE QUESTIONNAIRE THIS IS COMPLETED DURING THE FIRST CLASS. 1 MEANS I AGREE. 2 MEANS I NEED HELP UNDERSTANDING/DOING THIS. Name: Date: KNOWING THE FAITH 1. I believe in one God. God created all things out of nothing. 2. I believe that there is one God in three Divine Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. 3. I believe that Jesus Christ is God made man, that He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. 4. I believe that Jesus suffered and died on the cross for me, so that my sins could be forgiven and so that I could be with Him in Heaven. 5. I believe that Jesus rose from the dead, thus proving that He truly is God, having power over death. 6. I believe that Jesus instituted the Catholic Church, making Peter the first Pope. 7. I believe the truths that God revealed to us through Jesus and that have been handed down to us through the Apostles and their successors, the Bishops. 8. I believe that the Bible is the Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and written down by human authors. 9. I believe that God is the true author of the Bible, and therefore it contains no error. 10. I believe that the seven sacraments are sacred signs instituted by Christ that give us Grace. 11. I believe that the Holy Eucharist is Jesus truly present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. 12. I believe that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass makes present to us the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. LIVING THE FAITH 1. I choose to follow Jesus, to reject evil, and to do my best to keep the Commandments. 2. I plan to go to Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation. 3. I plan to pray every day. 4. I plan to go to confession regularly. 5. I plan to receive Jesus in Holy Communion regularly (in a worthy manner, with a clean soul). 6. I plan to continue learning about my Faith and to share it with others by my words and example. 7. I want to receive the sacrament of Confirmation.
CHOOSING A PATRON SAINT AND SPONSOR WHO ARE THE SAINTS? A name given in the New Testament to Christians generally (Colossians 1,2) but early restricted to persons who were eminent for holiness. In the strict sense, saints are those who distinguish themselves by heroic virtue during life and whom the Church honors as saints either by her ordinary universal teaching authority or by a solemn definition called canonization. The Church s official recognition of sanctity implies that the persons are now in heavenly glory, that they may be publicly invoked everywhere, and that their virtues during life or martyr s death are a witness and example to the Christian faithful. Fr. John Hardon, Pocket Catholic Dictionary HOW DO I CHOOSE A SAINT? A patron saint is chosen by each person preparing for Confirmation. Begin by reading good biographies of saints, not just short descriptions of them. There are many good movies that faithfully depict the lives of the saints. After doing this you should select one saint or blessed whose spirituality or example you would like to follow. That saint will become a particular friend on life s journey to Heaven. You can even add that saint s name to your own name (e.g. Christopher James John Pollard). The patron saint provides a model of charity; we are assured of his intercession. CCC 2156 The name one receives is a name for eternity. In the kingdom, the mysterious and unique character of each person marked with God s name will shine forth in splendor. To him who conquers... I will give a white stone, with a new name written on the stone which no one knows except him who receives it (Rev 2,17). Then I looked, and lo, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father s name written on their foreheads (Rev 14,1). CCC 2159 On Confirmation day, the Bishop will address you individually according to your saint s name (e.g. John Bosco, be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit ). It is important to put a lot of thought into this choice! Better yet, ask Jesus which saint He would like you to imitate in order to accomplish with Jesus the special task God has planned for you in history.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE CONFIRMATION SPONSOR? Candidates for Confirmation, as for Baptism, fittingly seek the spiritual help of a sponsor. To emphasize the unity of the two sacraments, it is appropriate that this be one of the baptismal godparents. Although one of the Confirmation candidate s godparents is the ideal, this is not the only choice (CCC 1311). Like the godparents chosen at Baptism, sponsors must be firm believers, able and ready to help (the Confirmed) on the road of Christian life. Their task is a truly ecclesial function.bearing some responsibility for the development and safeguarding of the grace given at Baptism (CCC 1255). Like parents and godparents, they share in the responsibility for the salvation of the young soul entrusted to them. Because our life on earth is a pilgrimage to the Father which takes place primarily in the heart (Pope John Paul II, The Trinity s Embrace), the sponsor should be a Catholic who loves and lives his or her faith and continues to grow in the knowledge of the Catholic faith. This is evident in a person who spends time in daily prayer and frequent encounters with Jesus in the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist. Consequently, the sponsor s heart reflects the tender and affectionate love of the hearts of Jesus and Mary and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, providing a living example of joyful Christian life. In order to accept this responsibility, your Confirmation sponsor needs: to be at least 16 years of age. to have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation in the Catholic Church. not to have married outside the Catholic Church. to attend Mass regularly on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation and receive the Sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Penance regularly. to be someone other than your parent. Your sponsor needs to understand and accept the responsibility which is undertaken as a Sponsor, promise to be a support and example that reflects the spirit and teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, and be prepared to assist you with support, encouragement and prayer. WHOM SHOULD I CHOOSE FOR MY CONFIRMATION SPONSOR? SOMEONE WHO WILL DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO HELPING YOU GET TO HEAVEN WHILE BRINGING AS MANY OTHERS WITH YOU AS YOU CAN.
SPONSOR INTERVIEW BE SPECIFIC AND DO NOT RESPOND WITH JUST YES OR NO ANSWERS DUE JANUARY 7, 2018 CONFIRMANDI S NAME: SPONSOR S NAME 1. HOW DO YOU PRAY? 2. WHO HAS BEEN INFLUENTIAL IN THE GROWTH OF YOUR FAITH? 3. HAVE YOU EVER HAD TO DEFEND YOUR FAITH? WHEN? HOW? 4. ARE YOU ACTIVE IN YOUR CHURCH? HOW? 5. WHAT DO YOU FIND TO BE THE MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR FAITH? 6. DO YOU STILL DO COMMUNITY SERVICE? WHY? 7. HAVE YOU SPONSORED ANYONE ELSE? WHO AND WHY? 8. WHAT CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF YOUR FAITH, CHURCH OR CATHOLIC HOLIDAYS DO YOU REMEMBER MOST? 9. WHAT CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS HAVE HELPED YOU PULL THROUGH TOUGH TIMES IN YOUR LIFE? 10. IS THERE A TIME THAT YOU DID NOT PRACTICE YOUR FAITH? WHAT WERE THE CIRCUMSTANCES? 11. WHAT DO YOU FIND TO BE THE MOST REWARDING PART OF MASS? WHY? 12. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU DON T UNDERSTAND OR AGREE WITH CONCERNING MATTERS OF FAITH? 13. HOW DO YOU SEE GOD WORKING IN YOUR LIFE? 14. HOW DO YOU SEE GOD WORKING IN MY LIFE?
SPONSOR & PATRON SAINT FORM Please Print or Type All Information. DUE December 3, 2017 Candidate s Name: Date: SPONSOR INFORMATION Sponsor s Name Relationship Sponsor s Address Phone *Even if your sponsor is a member of Corpus Christi Mission, have him/her complete and submit the Confirmation Sponsor Form, including the priest s certification. PROXY INFORMATION (If your Sponsor will not be present at the Confirmation Mass) Proxy s Name Relationship Proxy s Address Phone PATRON SAINT INFORMATION The saint I have chosen to be my Confirmation Saint is. My saint is the patron of. The saint s feast day is. I will make every effort to pray to my saint, go to Mass each year on this feast day, emulate his or her virtues and read what he or she has written. In two or three sentences, briefly explain why you chose this name: Signature
PATRON SAINT REPORT DUE January 28, 2018 Candidate s Name: Date: The following information must be included: I. Biographical information on the saint A. Dates and places of birth and death B. Description of the saint s service to God and others C. Feast day D. Symbol (if any) associated with the saint E. Circumstances of death F. If the saint is a patron of any group, discuss the reason and significance G. Discuss any specific devotion(s) that were attributed to this saint II. Why did the Church canonize this person? III. Personal influence of the saint on your life, including: A. Why did you choose this saint? B. What virtues and qualities did this saint have that you wish to imitate in your life? You will probably be asked to tell a little bit about your saint in class, so be prepared! Please type your report on a separate paper.
Confirmation Sponsor Certificate Must be filled out and signed by the Sponsor and HIS/HER Pastor The Role of the Confirmation Sponsor Candidates for Confirmation, as for baptism, fittingly seek the spiritual help of a Sponsor. To emphasize the unity of the two sacraments, it is appropriate that this be one of the baptismal godparents. Although one of the Confirmation candidate s godparents is the ideal, this is not the only choice (CCC 1311) Like the godparents chosen at Baptism, sponsors must be firm believers, able and ready to help (the Confirmed) on the road of Christian life. Their task is a truly ecclesial function bearing some responsibility for the development and safeguarding of the grace given at Baptism (CCC 1255). Like parents and godparents, they share in the responsibility for the salvation of the young soul entrusted to them. Because our life on earth is a pilgrimage to the Father which takes place primarily in the heart ( Pope John Paul II, The Trinity s Embrace), the sponsor should be a catholic who loves and lives his or her faith and continues to grow in the knowledge of the Catholic faith. This is evident in a person who spends time in daily prayer and frequent encounters with Jesus in the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist. Consequently, the sponsor s heart reflects the tender affectionate love of the hearts of Jesus and Mary and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, providing a living example of joyful Christian life. This is to certify that I A registered member of Parish Accept the invitation to be a sponsor at the Confirmation of In accepting this responsibility, I truthfully state the following: -I am at least 16 years of age. -I have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation in the Catholic Church. -I am not married outside of the Catholic Church. -I attend Mass regularly on Sundays and holy Days of Obligation and receive the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and Penance regularly. -I am not a parent of the Confirmation candidate. I understand and accept the responsibility which I undertake as a sponsor and I promise to be a support and example that reflects the spirit and teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. I am prepared to assist the Candidate by my support, encouragement and prayer. PRIESTS CERTIFIACTION This is to certify that the above is a registered member of this Parish in good standing and, to the best of my knowledge, is capable of assuming the duties and responsibilities of the role of Sponsor. PARISH SEAL MUST BE PRESENT Priests Signature Parish Date
APOSTOLIC SERVICE DUE APRIL 15, 2017 WILL BE DESIGNED BY THE STUDENT AND APPROVED BY THE PARENTS. ACTS OF MERCY WILL REQUIRE FOUR (4) HOURS OF SERVICE (AT LEAST 1 HOUR FROM EACH LIST BELOW) THE GOAL IS THE SALVATION OF OTHER SOULS! (YOU WANT THEM TO KNOW GOD S LOVE SO THAT THEY MIGHT RECEIVE HIS GRACE AND DO HIS WILL.) THE CORPORAL AND SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor s spiritual and bodily necessities. Giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity; it is also a work of justice pleasing to God. CCC 2447 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. James 2,14-18 cf. 1John 3,17 CORPORAL FEEDING THE HUNGRY. GIVING DRINK TO THE THIRSTY. CLOTHING THE NAKED. SHELTERING THE HOMELESS. VISITING THE SICK. VISITING THE IMPRISONED. BURYING THE DEAD. He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none and he who has food must do likewise. Luke 3,11 But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, everything is clean for you. Luke 11,41 SPIRITUAL COUNSELING THE DOUBTFUL. INSTRUCTING THE IGNORANT. ADMONISHING SINNERS. COMFORTING THE AFFLICTED. FORGIVING OFFENSES. BEARING WRONGS PATIENTLY. PRAYING FOR THE LIVING AND THE DEAD. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Matthew 4,4 Jesus went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil. Acts 10,38
SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR SERVICE ATTEND 1 ST SUNDAY ADORATION PRAY FOR THE PROTECTION OF INNOCENT LIFE PRAY FOR SOMEONE SICK OR NEAR DEATH REACH OUT TO A FRIEND &SHARE YOUR FAITH FORGIVE SOMEONE, PRAY FOR THEM ATTEND A FUNERAL/VISIT A CEMETERY/PRAY FOR THE DEAD CREATIVE WAYS OF COMBINING PRAYER AND GOOD WORKS VISIT A NURSING HOME ONCE/TWICE WEEKLY, CONVERSE WITH ONE OR MORE LONELY PATIENTS, MAYBE EVEN MAKE COOKIES FOR THEM. MOW LAWNS/SHOVEL SNOW FOR ELDERLY NEIGHBORS AND PRAY A ROSARY DAILY OR WEEKLY FOR THEM. BRING SOMEONE TO MASS EACH WEEK WHO CAN T GET THERE ALONE OR DOESN T ATTEND CHURCH REGULARLY. HELP SOMEONE STUDY FOR SCHOOL, AND TEACH THEM THE ROSARY. TEACH A SIBLING HOW TO READ USING THE GOSPELS.
APOSTOLIC PROJECT SUMMARY DUE APRIL 15, 2018 NAME: DATE: PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE MY APOSTOLIC PROJECT INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING WORKS OF MERCY (PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY) CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY FEEDING THE HUNGRY GIVING DRINK TO THE THIRSTY CLOTHING THE NAKED SHELTERING THE HOMELESS VISITING THE SICK VISITING THE IMPRISONED BURYING THE DEAD SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY COUNSELING THE DOUBTFUL INSTRUCTING THE IGNORANT ADMONISHING SINNERS COMFORTING THE AFFLICTED FORGIVING OFFENSES BEARING WRONGS PATIENTLY PRAYING FOR THE LIVING AND THE DEAD PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER WHAT SPECIFIC WORK (S) DID YOU COMPLETE? WHAT WAS EASY OR DIFFICULT ABOUT IT? WHO BENEFITED FROM YOUR WORK? HOW ARE THEY NOW CLOSER TO GOD BECAUSE OF YOUR WORK? IN WHAT WAYS WERE THEY IN A POSITION TO THANK YOU? HOW ARE YOU NOW CLOSER TO GOD? WHAT WOULD BE A MORE CHALLENGING WORK OF MERCY FOR YOU AND WHY? WHAT WORKS OF MERCY DO YOU THINK YOU COULD DO ON A REGULAR BASIS? FOR WHICH WORKS OF MERCY IS YOUR CONFIRMATION SAINT KNOWN FOR?
SAMPLE LETTER TO PASTOR THIS LETTER MUST BE TYPED DUE APRIL 22, 2018 MONTH, DAY, YEAR REV. MICHAEL G. TAYLOR CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH 43130 AMBERWOOD PLAZA DRIVE SUITE 150 SOUTH RIDING, VA. 20152 DEAR FATHER TAYLOR: ~RESPECTFULLY REQUEST TO RECEIVE THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION AT CORPUS CHRISTI ~DESCRIBE HOW YOU HAVE PREPARED TO RECEIVE THE SACRAMENT ~DESCRIBE WHAT APOSTOLIC PROJECTS YOU HAVE COMPLETED DURING THIS PREPARATION AND WHAT SAINT YOU CHOSE AS YOUR PATRON SAINT. EXPLAIN THE REASONS WHY YOU CHOSE HIM/HER. WHAT ARE THE VIRTUES THAT WERE IMPORTANT TO YOUR SAINT AND HOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO IMITATE HIM/HER. ~TELL FATHER TAYLOR WHY YOU LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION SINCERELY, YOUR NAME
CONFIRMATION IN A NUTSHELL The following instructions are from the Office of the Bishop along with special notes particular Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Confirmation Attire 1. All Confirmation Candidates are to wear robes during the Mass, during the reception, and for all photographs before and after Mass. 2. Boys: wear dress pants, dress shoes, a dress shirt, and a tie. Make sure your hair is off of your forehead. 3. Girls: wear a modest dress with dress shoes, or a blouse with a modest skirt or dress slacks. Makeup and jewelry should be kept at a tasteful and minimal level. Make sure your hair is off of your forehead. 4. Sponsors: Please dress modestly. Procession 1. Before Mass, slowly proceed into the church about three feet behind the person in front of you, with your hands in a praying position. 2. Approach the altar and genuflect in pairs. Walk in front of the chairs and around to the side to your seat, as you do after receiving Communion. 3. After the Bishop passes by, turn toward the altar. Rite of Confirmation 1. After the Bishop gives his homily, he will invite the Candidates to renew their Baptismal Promises. Respond in a loud, clear voice: Do you reject Satan, and all his works, and all his empty promises? Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of Heaven and earth? "I DO." "I DO." Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is seated at the right hand of the Father? "I DO." Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the dead, and life everlasting? "I DO." 2. Hand the Confirmation index card to the priest assisting the Bishop. 3. When you approach the Bishop to receive Confirmation, place your toes against the step so the Bishop will not have to bend forward. Make sure your hair is off of your forehead. 4. When it is your turn to be confirmed, look up at the bishop. He will say: When the Bishop says to the Confirmed Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit. You respond in a clear voice: AMEN. When the Bishop says, peace be with you, you make eye contact and respond with AND ALSO WITH YOU.